Presidents--Decision making

Gary Clinton writes an introduction to a letter from Elihu Root to Mark Sullivan about Theodore Roosevelt’s decision making process. The introductory essay is followed by the three page typed letter in which Root highlights aspects of Roosevelt’s personality and leadership, such as his adherence to trusting his own judgment and his love of a fight. Clinton values the letter as an example of learning about Roosevelt based on the knowledge of those who knew him firsthand. A photograph of Root joins the title page of Sullivan’s book Our Times in illustrating the introductory essay.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

President Roosevelt tells his son Kermit he was melancholy after Kermit and Ted went back to school. He reports on the antics of the cats and one incident that involved the next Speaker of the House Joseph Cannon. Roosevelt adds that he has his hands full with presidential work, and Ethel reluctantly returned to boarding school.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1903-01-08

President Roosevelt writes to Secretary of Commerce and Labor Straus that although Senator Boies Penrose may have offered the position (of Commissioner General of Immigration) to someone, no one but the president has the authority to make the decision. Roosevelt intends to give the position to Daniel J. Keefe, a highly qualified man, but he can likely find another position for Duncan, unless Duncan has been supporting Samuel Gompers.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-15

President Roosevelt writes that people with an interest in the coal strike in Pennsylvania often do not know all of the issues, and those who do know, do not seem to care about people. He then states that he is intervening to protect the people.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1902-10-16

Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit on his animosity towards Englishmen who will not fight in the war but will go watch football games. He says he has been writing about the war and strongly disapproves of President Wilson’s administration of foreign affairs. Roosevelt gives updates on Archie at Harvard, Quentin at Groton, and Ethel and her husband returning from a trip. Roosevelt hopes Belle is doing better in the heat and is enjoying his duty to be lazy and enjoy himself.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1914-12-02

President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit, saying that he and Edith along with John Burroughs just returned from their cottage, Pine Knot. Roosevelt is in busy correspondence over the Africa trip but has no definite plans yet. He closes by saying Congress will end in an ugly fight with him.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1908-05-10

Theodore Roosevelt writes to Morton Fullerton and thanks him for his letter and the copies of the National Review.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-06-27

Theodore Roosevelt attempts to answer Alfred Borden’s questions, but admits that it is somewhat difficult to do so without seeming to be rude or condescending, as they seem to be fairly basic questions. He explains that, while President, he did not attempt to deal with the Tariff question because he was focused on a number of other topics he considered more important, and he worried that by splitting his efforts further, he would achieve less. Regarding his relations with Senator William Lorimer and Ohio political boss George Barnsdale Cox, Roosevelt explains that when he did not know anything about Lorimer, he treated him just as he did Cox, with both being political bosses of their respective states. Once the scandal surrounding Lorimer began to be exposed as he assumed a position in the legislature, it necessarily had to change how Roosevelt related to him. Finally, Roosevelt denies having ever painted the entirety of Wall Street as dishonest men, and maintains that he has always been in favor of the honest businessman. He hopes, in answering Borden, he did not hurt his feelings, but strove to write candidly and honestly answer his questions.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910-11-02

Theodore Roosevelt answers the three questions Alfred Borden posed regarding his political record. Roosevelt did not deal with the question of the tariff because he was attempting to take care of the trusts, does not feel that the cases of William Lorimer and George Barnsdale Cox are in any way comparable, and has not generalized the entirety of Wall Street as dishonest in any speech he has made. After making these points, Roosevelt writes more candidly in a postscript, criticizing Borden’s points as being ridiculous, and saying that if he took the time to find out the facts he would realize this.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910-10-29

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt writes to Charles C. Bull, expressing his opinion about Woodrow Wilson whom he calls “the most wretched creature we have had in the presidential chair.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-02-04

Theodore Roosevelt writes to William J. Lee that he is glad that President Woodrow Wilson has abandoned his opposition to military preparedness, “although terribly late.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-10-20

Theodore Roosevelt wishes he were president in order to intervene in Mexico and “interfere in the world war on the side of justice and honesty.” He does not believe in “neutrality between right and wrong.” Roosevelt sympathizes with the allies against Germany and would have taken action after the invasion of Belgium. However, he is currently a political outsider and is ashamed at the inaction of the United States and its leadership.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-08-07

Theodore Roosevelt agrees with most of what Luis Lara Pardo says in his letter. However, Roosevelt thinks that his own words are of mostly academic value under present conditions and he cannot admit that the actions the United States took in Cuba set a precedent.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-04-02

Theodore Roosevelt writes to Cora Urquhart Potter, famed socialite and stage actress, that he has already been taking action through his daughter, Alice Roosevelt Longworth, for a memorial to “dear Margaret.” The Margaret referred to is likely Roosevelt’s 2nd cousin, Lucy Margaret Roosevelt who had died a few months earlier.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-02-26

Theodore Roosevelt thanks Governor Hatfield for his letter. Roosevelt states that they have been “too mealy-mouthed” regarding President Wilson who he claims is “as bad a President … as Buchanan.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-12-29

Theodore Roosevelt states that although he knew the situation was bound to fail, he felt it was most honorable to stand by his principles and friends and “sink with the flag flying.” Roosevelt also expresses his appreciation for Ernest Harvier’s “amusing skit” in Harper’s Magazine.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-11-09

When President Roosevelt next sees Senator Platt, he will explain why he had to act in the matter regarding Shipping Commissioner Harry A. Hanbury.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-13

President Roosevelt explains that he cannot get into controversies regarding what people say they “remember” his positions to have been, and that his positions on all matters are public. Any assertion that he privately abandoned particular legislation after publicly supporting it is inaccurate.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-23

President Roosevelt tells Secretary of War Taft that discharge is not to be suspended unless new facts warrant him to do so. Roosevelt does not care what the politicians and sentimentalists think and demands that his wishes be met unless facts show they should be changed.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-11-21

President Roosevelt tells Secretary of War Taft that under no circumstances should an order be suspended unless important facts can be presented. Roosevelt feels as though he is clear to the course he chose to take.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-11-17